The Fluency Plan Blog

​​Levi, "How long does it take to become fluent?". This is a question I get quite often from friends, family, students, and acquaintances when they find out I have a background as a language instructor and notorious language learner. Not only is it a common question for people new to the language learning world, but also for those who have already spent considerable time working towards fluency in a foreign language. There is always this tendency to know "are we there yet" when it comes to our desired level language proficiency. We all want a good ROI (return on investment) for our time, money, and hardwork.

Factors to Fluency

The truth is that there is no easy answer to the "how long does it take?" foreign language fluency question. It ultimately depends on a number of factors all mishmashed together These below are the key factors that determine your fluency development in a foreign language:

TIME TO FLUENCY

I would say that the quickest one will get to fluency (B2, upper intermediate) will be 3 months. At 3 months, with several hundred hours of immersion, study, and dedication, you can hit your fluency goal. However, for most of us, I would say that 6-12 months is more feasible. Anybody is capable of doing this in this time! Most don't however, due to the level of consistent focus, discipline, and hard-work needed to succeed.

*input - any native level language that you receive visually or audibly.*comprehensible input: input in current skill level + 1 (but a little bit beyond what you comprehend)

BUT, I TOOK SPANISH FOR 4 YEARS IN HIGH SCHOOL ... and can only say "Hola, me llamo John."

Tim Ferriss, author, self-help guru, foreign language learner, and self-proclaimed "human guinea pig" makes some interesting points about learning new skills in a year or less in this 3 minute video below. Basically, he discusses the fact that in a year or less, one can become very skilled in most areas of life. The trick is to realize this, concentrate, do the right things, not just what society or a well-marketed product tells you to do. This can be trick at times however, I know. I highly recommend you take a few minutes to check this short video out.

Ready to Learn How to Become Fluent in 3-12 months? Click below to Sign Up for the "How to Fluency" E-Course

It has been a struggle to pick up the language for sure but the more I study the better I believe I become!
Thanks

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Levi

4/5/2017 10:38:11 am

I'm working on an article focused on 5 important steps to take when starting out learning Spanish. I'm hoping this can be a nice supplement for students who are taking a formal class. Keep it up.

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Kimberley Wenger

4/5/2017 05:17:14 pm

Thank you, Levi. I am going to start using Memrise. Thank you very much. It is good to have an idea of where I am as far as fluency as well. Some days I feel more confident than others.

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Levi

4/6/2017 09:22:44 am

Thanks for you reading ...and for your comment!

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Hannah Roberts

4/6/2017 12:03:39 pm

I like the idea of learning by hearing then seeing but it is difficult to do so on an online class.

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Amanda Dumsday

4/6/2017 03:08:24 pm

I think that learning different language is hard but I think I am getting better at it. All though I can read it better than I can hear or say it. I am working on it. Thank you Mr. Levi for the opportunity to learn a new language.

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Allee Koestner

4/7/2017 09:27:24 am

I have heard that the best way to learn a language is to fully immerse yourself in it. It is difficult to learn the language as a class when in real life, people may speak the language totally different. Becoming fluent without speaking it to native speakers will be/is hard to do.

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Author

Levi Flint is a language teacher, learner, and traveler frustrated with how languages have been viewed and taught in North America. He hopes to change things with a bit of clarity, perspective, and common sense.